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President Trump is reportedly asking people to stop calling it a "border wall" and use the term "steel slats" instead. On Thursday Trump met with top Republicans and spent at least five minutes explaining that "steel slats" will be a more popular phrase, according to The Washington Post. Business Insider reports Trump even implied that more Democrats might be on board to grant him his requested $5 billion in border-wall funding if it's called "steel slats" instead. Trump stated at the meeting, "We don't use the word 'wall' necessarily, but it has to be something special to do the job — steel slats."

AUSTIN — In a nine-minute address to the American public on Tuesday night, President Donald Trump painted an alarming picture of the shared border between the United States and Mexico, one of violence and drug trafficking that he said could only be handled with a border wall.

"This barrier is absolutely critical to border security," Trump said in his speech. "It's also what our professionals at the border want and need. This is just common sense."

Trump's speech offered no new details about his proposal for a wall or new information about when the ongoing government shutdown would end. But it did anger leaders in El Paso, who jumped to defend the border and offer their own perspective on the nation's security.

For example, Trump stressed the dangers of drug trafficking in his speech and said the opioid crisis is fueled by drugs that enter the country through the border. He didn't acknowledge that the vast majority of these drugs enter the country at ports of entry, not in vast stretches between entryways where his proposed wall would be the primary defense.

"We know that in El Paso you can walk around at three in the morning, even in the darkest alleys and you're fairly safe," Payan said, noting that Trump's characterization of the border as a scary place doesn't resonate with people there.

"That may be convincing to people in West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania, but it's very difficult to make that case the closer you are to the border," he said.

Leaders in El Paso, who have long railed against the president's border security proposals, looked to defend their hometown after the speech. Many pointed to a significant gap between Trump's understanding of the border and the reality in the community they know.

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Trump addresses the nation as passengers watch, or don't watch, his speech at Central terminal B. Staffing issues related to the government slowdown caused delays at New York's LaGuardia Airport Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY

National security adviser John Bolton, left, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, second from left, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, second from right, and Vice President Mike Pence, right, listen as President Donald Trump speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, to announce a temporary deal to open the government. Susan Walsh, AP

Reporters listen to the address of President Donald J. Trump near the Senate chamber, as Trump agreed to end the partial government shutdown, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Jan. 25, 2019. Trump and Congress agreed to a continuing resolution to fund the federal government on the 35th day of the shutdown. Erik S. Lesser, EPA-EFE

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. speaks to reporters as he walks out of the Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, after President Donald Trump says a deal has been made to reopen the government for three weeks. Andrew Harnik, AP

Democratic Senator from Vermont Patrick Leahy, center, walks near the Senate chamber before President Donald J. Trump agreed to end the partial government shutdown, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Jan. 25, 2019. Erik S. Lesser, EPA-EFE

Travelers checking in for their flight at Newark Airport. Some traveller experienced the effects of the Federal shutdown while traveling in and out of the airport in Newark, Friday Jan. 25, 2019. Tariq Zehawi, NorthJersey.com-USA TODAY NETWORK

A TSA worker smiles as he checks travelers' boarding passes and identification, Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. Yielding to mounting pressure and growing disruption, President Donald Trump and congressional leaders on Friday reached a short-term deal to reopen the government for three weeks while negotiations continue over the president's demands for money to build his long-promised wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. Ted S. Warren, AP

The Capitol is seen under dark skies at sunset after the Senate rejected competing Democratic and Republican proposals for ending the partial government shutdown, which is the longest in the nation's history, in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. J. Scott Applewhite, AP

President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks to members of the news media beside Republican lawmakers, during a meeting on trade in the Cabinet Room of the White House, in Washington, DC on Jan. 24, 2019. Trump used the opportunity to speak on his border security policy, the ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government and trade duties. Michael Reynolds, EPA-EFE

Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) talking to the media following the Senate rejecting a pair of dueling bills Thursday to fund the federal government and end the longest partial government shutdown in history. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) talks to the media as she and other House Democrat members leave the Senate Chambers after the Senate voted to reject a pair of dueling bills Thursday to fund the federal government and end the longest partial government shutdown in history. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and other House Democrat members walking from the Senate Chambers after the Senate voted to reject a pair of dueling bills Thursday to fund the federal government and end the longest partial government shutdown in history. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) walking into the Senate Chambers before the Senate voted to reject a pair of dueling bills Thursday to fund the federal government and end the longest partial government shutdown in history. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

1/24/19 2:01:40 PM -- Washington, DC, U.S.A -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-LA , heads for the Senate chambers after talking to the media before the Senate voted to reject a pair of dueling bills Thursday to fund the federal government and end the longest partial government shutdown in history. -- Photo by Jack Gruber, USA TODAY staff ORG XMIT: JG 137783 Features from DC 1/24 (Via OlyDrop) Jack Gruber, USAT

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., talks to reporters a day after officially postponing President Donald Trump's State of the Union address until the government is fully reopened, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. J. Scott Applewhite, AP

The Capitol is seen early Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, as rain falls on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, with the partial government shutdown in its second month. The Senate will vote on two competing proposals today to end the impasse, but neither seems to have enough votes to advance. J. Scott Applewhite, AP

Democratic Senator from Vermont Patrick Leahy, right, Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, second from right, and Senate democrats carry photographs of furloughed federal workers during a press conference urging President Trump to reopen the government outside the US Capitol Capitol in Washington, DC. on Jan. 16, 2019. Senate democrats outlined effects the shutdown, now in its 25th day, is having on American workers and families and called on President Trump to reopen the government immediately. Shawn Thew, EPA-EFE

Faye Smith, a furloughed Smithsonian contract worker who has not been paid during the partial government shutdown, holds an unpaid electric bill to present to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's office on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, Jan. 16, 2019 Furloughed contract workers have not received back pay from previous government shutdowns, unlikely employees who work directly for the federal government. Four weeks into the US government shutdown, cash-strapped federal workers are tapping life-savings, selling possessions and turning to soup kitchens to make ends meet ramping up pressure for leaders in Washington to strike a deal. Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., left, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., second from left, and Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, second from right, wait for other freshman Congressmen to deliver a letter calling to an end to the government shutdown to deliver to the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. Andrew Harnik, AP

Doors at the Internal Revenue Service in the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building are locked and covered with blinds as a sign posted advises that the office will be closed during the partial government shutdown Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in Seattle. Elaine Thompson, AP

Several dozen federal employees and supporters demonstrated at the Sacramento International Airport calling for President Donald Trump and Washington lawmakers to end then partial government shutdown, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. Rich Pedroncelli, AP

Federal employees and family members that have been affected by the ongoing shutdown of the US federal government leave with free meals provided to them by World Central Kitchen, at Jose Andres' ThinkFoodLab in Washington, DC. on Jan. 16, 2019. The disaster relief nonprofit World Central Kitchen, led by celebrity chef Jose Andres, opened a Washington DC feeding site 16 January to try to help some of the 800,000 federal workers that are either working without pay or have been furloughed. Free hot meals and to-go meals will be provided everyday, including weekends. Michael Reynolds, EPA-EFE

A TSA worker helps passengers at the Salt Lake City International Airport, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in Salt Lake City. The government shutdown has generated an outpouring of generosity to TSA agents and other federal employees who are working without pay. In Salt Lake City, airport officials treated workers from the TSA, FAA and Customs and Border Protection to a free barbecue lunch as a gesture to keep their spirits up during a difficult time. Rick Bowmer, AP

Food and other goods that donors dropped off are collected on a cart to be moved to a distribution point for TSA workers at Orlando International Airport Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. John Raoux, AP

A sign outside the closed National Museum of the American Indian in Lower Manhattan is seen on Jan. 12, 2019, as the partial US government shutdown entered a record 22nd. Johannes Eisele, AFP/Getty Images

The entrance of the Miami International Airport's Terminal G remained closed due to the government shutdown, in Miami, Florida, USA, 12 January 2019. The current partial shutdown of the US federal government has become the longest in US history, on Jan. 12, 2019 surpassing the previous 21-day shutdown of 1995-1996. Over 800,000 federal employees are impacted by the shutdown, with around 400,000 furloughed and being paid later and the rest deemed 'essential', who must work without pay, though retroactive pay is expected, with January 11 marking the first missed paycheck. Cristobal Herrera, EPA-EFE

US Secret Service officers stands post on Pennsylvania Avenue outside of the White House in Washington, DC on Jan. 12, 2019. The current partial shutdown of the US federal government, now the longest in US history, has many federal employees including Secret Service agents and officers working unpaid. Shawn Thew, EPA-EFE

An empty entrance line is seen as signs hang on the doors of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture indicating that the museum is closed because of the partial government shutdown in Washington, DC, Jan. 9, 2019. A cornered President Donald Trump will hold talks with congressional leaders Wednesday over his demand for a US-Mexico border wall, with his options running out for ending a prolonged partial government shutdown over the impasse. Trump gave a nine-minute prime-time address Tuesday night to make the case for his signature domestic policy idea, but made no concessions to opposition Democrats, who have rejected funding for the project. Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is chased by members of the media after he returned to the U.S. Capitol from a meeting at the White House Jan. 9, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Trump walked out of a meeting with congressional leaders at the White House negotiating border security funding and government shutdown, calling it a total waste of time. Alex Wong, Getty Images

Passengers wait in a Transportation Security Administration line at JFK airport on Jan. 09, 2019 in New York City. Its been reported that hundreds of TSA screeners and agents have called in sick from their shifts from a number of major airports as the partial government shutdown continues. Employees of the TSA, whose job it is to keep airlines safe, are being forced to work without knowing when their next paycheck is coming. Spencer Platt, Getty Images

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., left, listens as Vice President Mike Pence, right, speaks to reporters following a meeting with President Donald Trump and Democratic congressional leaders at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019. Susan Walsh, AP

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., holds his notes as he talks with reporters following a meeting with Congressional leaders and President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019. Susan Walsh, AP

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., center, speaks about her oath of office as she stands next to Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., left, and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., right, following their meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019. Susan Walsh, AP

A "Closed" sign is seen during a news conference after a House Democratic Caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol Jan. 9, 2019 in Washington, DC. House Democrats gathered to discuss the Democratic agenda as the partial government shutdown enters day 19. Alex Wong, Getty Images

Activists hold a lit "FAKE CRISIS" sign as they stage a protest outside the White House in response to U.S. President Donald Trumps prime time address to the nation Jan. 8, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Trump urged Congress to fund $5.7 billion for a border wall. Alex Wong, Getty Images

The Washington skyline is seen on day 19 of a partial government shutdown on the morning after President Donald Trump used a prime-time TV address from the Oval Office to urge congressional Democrats to relent on their opposition to his proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019. From left are the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol. J. Scott Applewhite, AP

The entrance to Fort Point National Historic Site, a masonry seacoast fortification located on the southern side of the Golden Gate Bride, a popular tourist site is closed in San Francisco, Calif. on Jan. 8, 2019. John G. Mabanglo, EPA-EFE

Members of American Legion Post 416 watch President Donald Trump speak on Jan. 8, 2019 in Encinitas, California. The president spoke in his first prime-time address from the Oval Office in an effort to build support for $5.7 billion in funding for a border wall. Sandy Huffaker, Getty Images

People walk past a sign announcing that New York funds are keeping the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island open for visitors on Jan. 5, 2019, in New York, as the US government shutdown enters its third week. Don Emmert, AFP/Getty Images

Workmen from the commercial cleanup company 1-800-GOT-JUNK clean up trash on The Ellipse, south of the White House, in Washington, DC on Jan. 4, 2019. As the company donates its resources to clean up, US President Donald J. Trump is scheduled to meet at the White House with congressional leadership in hopes of ending the partial government shutdown now in its 12th day. Shawn Thew, EPA-EFE

President Donald J. Trump holds a news conference beside US Vice President Mike Pence, left,, Republican Representative from Louisiana Steve Scalise (2-R) and House Minority Leader Republican Kevin McCarthy, right, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC on Jan. 4, 2019. President Trump discussed a variety of topics, particularly his meeting with Congressional Democratic and Republican leaders for negotiations on the ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government. A partial shutdown of the government continues since Congress and Trump failed to strike a deal on border security before a 22 December 22, 2018 funding deadline. Michael Reynolds, EPA-EFE

Volunteer Alexandra Degen cleans a restroom at Joshua Tree National Park on Jan. 4, 2019 in Joshua Tree National Park, California. Volunteers with 'Friends of Joshua Tree National Park' have been cleaning bathrooms and trash at the park as the park is drastically understaffed during the partial government shutdown. Campgrounds and some roads have been closed at the park due to safety concerns. Mario Tama, Getty Images

Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi returns to the US Capitol after a meeting with US President Donald Trump over the ongoing partial government shutdown in Washington, DC on Jan. 4, 2019. Though Democrats called the meeting 'contentious,' President Trump said the meeting was 'productive'. Jim Lo Scalzo, EPA-EFE

A sign blocks a snowed in walk way at Grand Canyon National Park on Jan. 4, 2019. The park was staffed at minimum capacity due to the government shutdown but retained much of its services due to an executive order issued by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey to run the park with state funds in the event of a shutdown. Thomas Hawthorne, The Republic via USA TODAY Network

The Capitol building is visible as a man throws garbage away during a partial government shutdown on the National Mall in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018. Trash cans on the Mall are not being emptied during the shutdown. Andrew Harnik, AP

A sign is posted on a fence near an entrance to the Bunker Hill Monument, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018, in Boston. The historic site, erected to commemorate the Revolutionary War Battle of Bunker Hill, and run by the National Park Service, was closed Monday due to a partial federal government shutdown. The federal government is expected to remain partially closed past Christmas Day in a protracted standoff over President Donald Trump's demand for money to build a border wall with Mexico. Steven Senne, AP

The empty U.S. Capitol Rotunda is seen in Washington during a partial government shutdown Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. Both sides in the long-running fight over funding President Donald Trump's U.S.-Mexico border wall appear to have moved toward each other, but a shutdown of one-fourth of the federal government entered Christmas without a clear resolution in sight. Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is met by reporters as he arrives at the Capitol on the first morning of a partial government shutdown, as Democratic lawmakers, and some Republicans, are at odds with President Donald Trump on spending for his border wall, in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. J. Scott Applewhite, AP

Jamie Parrish, from Minneapolis, takes a selfie in front of the closed sign at the National Archives, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018 in Washington. The House and Senate are gaveling back in for a rare weekend session amid a partial government shutdown over President Donald Trump's demand for billions of dollars for a border wall. Alex Brandon, AP

The US Capitol on the first morning of a partial government shutdown in Washington, DC on Dec. 22, 2018. Earlier in the week, President Trump rejected a Senate-passed continuing resolution to fund the federal government because it did not include money for his border wall. Though President Trump said he was 'proud' to shut the government down, lawmakers will meet again today to negotiate a way around the stalemate. Jim Lo Scalzo, EPA-EFE

Senate Majority Leader Republican Mitch McConnell, center, is followed by members of the news media as he walks from the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Dec. 21, 2018. President Trump rejected a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through Feb. 8, 2019, threatening a partial shutdown unless funding is included for his border wall. MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE

Vice President Mike Pence, right, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, center, and Senior Advisor to US President Donald J. Trump, Jared Kushner, left, walk from the House of Representatives to the Senate at the US Capitol on Friday. ERIK S. LESSER/EPA-EFE

Outgoing Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) (C) returns to his office after votes in the U.S. Capitol, Friday. The U.S. Senate considered a budget bill passed Thursday by the House of Representatives that would fund the federal government and includes more than $500 million for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Senate is unlikely to pass the bill with the wall funding, moving the government closer to a partial shut down just days before the Christmas holiday. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, the speaker-designate for the new Congress, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., leave after talking to reporters as a revised spending bill is introduced in the House that includes $5 billion demanded by President Donald Trump for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, as Congress tries to avert a partial shutdown, in Washington, on Dec. 20, 2018. J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Republican Majority Whip from California Kevin McCarthy (C) leaves the Capitol, Thursday, for the White House to negotiate a budget vote to avert a government shutdown in the US Capitol. The Senate passed a continuing resolution on Wednesday, to keep the government open until February 2019. Others are not identified members of the media. JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations Republican Richard Shelby (C) speaks to members of the news media shortly before leaving to attend a meeting at the White House held by US President Donald J. Trump, on Capitol Hill, Friday. President Trump rejected a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through 08 February 2019, threatening a partial shutdown unless funding is included for his border wall. MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., center, accompanied by House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., center right, speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House following a meeting with President Donald Trump on border security. Andrew Harnik/AP

Senate Majority Leader Republican Mitch McConnell arrives at the Senate Carriage entrance upon returning from the White House where he attended a meeting held by President Donald J. Trump, on Friday. President Trump rejected a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through February 8, 2019, threatening a partial shutdown unless funding is included for his border wall. MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE

Democrat Beto O'Rourke, the former El Paso congressman who many in his party hope will run for president in 2020, started streaming a video live on Facebook as he walked down his street in Sunset Heights with his wife Amy O'Rourke.

O'Rourke turned the camera to face down his street and focused on a collection of lights that could be seen on the horizon.

"That's Juarez," he said. "That's Mexico."

O'Rourke said if people came to El Paso to experience the city, the fear, anxiety and paranoia Trump "seeks to stoke and instill, I think all of that would melt."

"You just have to be here and see it to believe it," he said.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, said leaders from the border region have always been responsible for speaking out against misinformation and inaccurate characterizations of their communities — a responsibility that can sometimes be exhausting.

"It's harmful to communities like ours, harmful to our efforts at economic development," she said in an interview. "We are vibrant, safe, beautiful communities that are important to the national economy. We are part of the national solution. What we witness in El Paso is incredible compassion, generosity and kindness."

"People like Donald Trump can learn many lessons from El Pasoans," she said.

U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, a Republican whose district stretches from San Antonio to east El Paso, also stressed the safety of the border during an interview on CNN on Tuesday night. He could not be reached Wednesday.

He said Trump and others try "to act like this is some scary drug cartel movie back in the day,”but the reality is that the border has “some of the safest communities in the United States of America.”

“The reality is, yes, there are people sneaking into our country,” he said in the interview. “We can stop that if we have smart solutions, and that’s only going to be reliant on technology.”

Other Republicans were more supportive of Trump's remarks.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who traveled to Washington D.C. on Tuesday to assist Trump in crafting his message to the nation, said the president is "absolutely right that Congress must pass his common sense border security bill and end this very real crisis at our southern border."

"In Texas, illegal immigration costs state taxpayers billions of dollars every year in healthcare, education and law enforcement costs," he said in a statement. "Texans see first-hand the tragedies that take place at our border every day. No one should have to die trying to come to America."

Jon Barela, chief executive officer of the Borderplex Alliance, said he hopes Trump will visit El Paso. The president is scheduled to make a trip to McAllen on Thursday.

“We would welcome the president to come to El Paso and see how our region is a model in how you conduct binational commerce, how you reduce crime rates and how you create border security through economic opportunity,” Barela said.

While Barela said the border is "not a dangerous and lawless frontier," he hopes lawmakers will come to the table to address border security needs outside a physical barrier.

“Migration patterns and border security is not an issue which lends itself towards unilateral action,” Barela said. “We need to engage in a multilateral fashion and engage in a long-term course of action to create economic opportunity which will lead to a safer border and to a better strategic position for our country and our continent.”